FOR anyone who has never been the victim of abuse because of the clothes they wear or the way they style their hair, the news that West Mercia Police will offer better protection to those who do will mean little.

But to those who cannot leave the house without fear of abuse, verbal or physical, this news is a cause for celebration.

The police have worked with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation (SLF), which has fought hard for the changes in hate crime legislation to include people from alternative subcultures since 2007.

That was the fateful year when 20-year-old Sophie died after being savagely beaten in a Lancashire park because of her gothic appearance.

Although changes to legislation are still yet to be made, better training and help for victims of this abuse is spreading around police forces throughout the country, and Sophie Kenaz could not be happier.

The 22-year-old said: “From the start of school I was beaten up on a weekly basis, and teachers turned a blind eye.

“The kids made my life hell all because of the clothes I wore and the music I listened to, and it didn’t stop once I left school.

“My husband and I have had to move house twice due to harassment and have had our car vandalised several times, all because of the way we look.”

“Everyone should be able to look how they please as long as it’s not hurting anyone.”

Sophie's husband Drew, who previously worked for a software company in Leominster, said he believes that “Herefordshire is a bit better than some places” in terms of its reaction to people who stand out.

Katie Baynham, from Little Birch, near Ross-on- Wye, who identifies herself as belonging to the heavy metal scene, said that “police need to take all forms of hate crime seriously”.

“It's brilliant that the SLF has such a positive effect considering the pain that was caused. I hope that because of this step forward, people who have suffered abuse because of their appearance will begin to feel less judged and discriminated against.”

The news that WMP will put together a bespoke package that records these type of offences in order to train staff received mixed reviews on the Hereford Times’ website.

One user, Biomech, called the news “pathetic”, saying: “I'm all for attempting social equality, I just think that the stick has swung too far the other way”, while Oldergit wrote: “If you don’t want to get beaten up don’t dress up as a silly Goth.”

However, Miss Taken wrote: “Everyone is an individual and no one should have to conform to others’ ideas of what is acceptable or normal.

“Some of the nicest people I’ve come across look different in some way, be that the way they dress, their hair or tattoos and piercings.”

For more information on SLF, visit sophielancaster foundation.com.

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